The second under 16s game against Notts, Lincs and Derbys, led to an undeserved defeat in another close game of good quality rugby. Against a much heavier pack, and with a disrupted front row, Staffs took the game to NLD and played some excellent open attacking rugby. They were unlucky to end the first half only level at 7-7, thanks again to a try from Jack Sporcic, converted by Luke Massey. Only the intervention of the touch judge had prevented a further try from Sporcic, and Karl Protheroe (St Thomas More HS & Newcastle RFC) had just failed to reach a kick through, which rolled agonisingly over the dead ball line as he made a desperate dive to try and achieve a touch down.
The second half produced fewer chances, and the NLD pack finally made their strength tell when they scored a forwards try in the second half to leave the final score 12-7.
Considering the disruption caused by absences in the pack, the Staffs team can be proud of their performance which once again impressed the watching spectators. All members of the pack must take great credit for matching the NLD forwards.
Particularly impressive was prop Aiden Cheshire (Walton HS & Stafford RFC) for his work in the loose and his mobility around the field and locks John Hancock (St Joseph’s Coll & Newcastle RFC) and Andy Wainwright (Kingsmead HS & Stafford RFC ) for their high class line out play and overall work rate.
A similar team performance against Warwickshire at Broad Street RFC on Sunday 11th Nov
(ko 3-00pm), should see a number of the Staffs players being invited to Midlands training early in December.
